Necedah's Johnny Sauter ponders future and rich racing past of Wisconsin

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- State native Johnny Sauter won the NASCAR Trucks title in 2016.

"It feels like yesterday. But you know, when I look back on it? We're coming up on what? Eight years ago, already. So yeah, I mean it was cool," said Sauter. "Obviously to not only get to race for a living but to have some success along the way."

Sauter says he became a NASCAR Trucks champion because of growing up in Necedah, Wisconsin. 

"There's so many good racers and racetracks in the state of Wisconsin," Sauter said.  "So, you know, I think we're kind of immune to it because we just think it's normal to be able to go 45 minutes this direction and go to the Dells and go 45 minutes to Oregon. Whatever, Slinger. I mean so, you know, I think Wisconsin's heritage in motorsports is just deep."

He's well aware of Wisconsin's rich racing heritage. 

"I think if we could all go back in time and look at the 80's," Sauter fondly recalled. "Just for example, and you look at ARTGO and ASA and the drivers that were there and their accomplishments and you know, the tough customers. And then they eventually went to NASCAR. I can honestly tell you as a kid? I knew more, we followed ASA more than we did NASCAR. Bob Senneker, Mike Eddy. I mean, Mark Martin. Alan Kulwicki. My Dad. Trickle, I mean all the guys.  It's just a lot of great racers in that era."

And what's next for Johnny? 

"You know for myself? You know, I don't wanna be done," Sauter said. "But you know, you wanna be competitive as well. So, I'm going to build myself a new car for the local scene. Super Late Model stuff. And you know, you'll see me around, I hope."